# No brake pedal when vacuum applied **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [December 22, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483 "2024-12-22T16:23:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WildVines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@WildVines](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WildVines)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/1 "2024-12-22T16:23:10Z")
Can’t get a brake pedal when engine is running with vacuum applied to booster. When the engine is off, the pedal feels relatively firm, but as soon as the vacuum is applied the pedal goes to the floor. Everything in the system is brand new, booster, master cyl, comb. valve, all brake lines, calipers, rotors, wheel cyl., drums, shoes and discs. System bled multiple times, appears to be no air present. Master cylinder and booster have been replaced, nothing changed, same problem. Comb. valve brake light warning switch centered and appears to be ok. Any help would be appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/2 "2024-12-22T16:46:53Z")
Does this vehicle have ABS? Tester ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/3 "2024-12-22T16:47:48Z")
And what are you working on? Make, Model, Year, Engine, miles on the odo? ---
**Author:** ![WildVines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@WildVines](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WildVines)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/4 "2024-12-22T16:47:55Z")
It does not have ABS ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/5 "2024-12-22T16:53:45Z")
@WildVines As already mentioned, for best results, we will be better able to assist you if we knew what you were working on… ---
**Author:** ![WildVines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@WildVines](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WildVines)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/6 "2024-12-22T16:57:28Z")
It’s a custom 89 Jeep, 350 motor, no ABS, no computer, etc. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 4:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/7 "2024-12-22T16:59:10Z")
One thing I will say is to make sure all the wheel bearings are tight… Also, clamp off all the rubber brake hoses, retest the brake pedal, if it is now very firm then the issue is below the clamp off points, if it still drops then it is above the clamped off points… Sounds like a fun project… ---
**Author:** ![WildVines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@WildVines](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WildVines)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/8 "2024-12-22T17:52:44Z")
Thanks for the quick response. The wheel bearings are tight and I can’t clamp the hoses because they are braided steel. Thanks again and let me know if you have any other thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/9 "2024-12-22T22:24:06Z")
My diy’er guess is there’s something wrong related to the power booster. Since it is new, maybe that part is faulty right out of the box. Suggest to remove mc from booster and inspect that interface carefully. Before doing that, I’d probably do a quick test w/a hand-held vacuum pump that the booster holds vacuum to 22 inch hg. Your engine isn’t turbo- or super-charged right? ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/10 "2024-12-22T23:11:25Z")
I think the problem is that there is no brake pressure from the master cylinder. It’s the second place I’d look. I say that because I put a like on George’s post and then I read it again. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 11:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/11 "2024-12-22T23:22:48Z")
Did you bleed the master cylinder before installing? Or at least after? Are all the new brake parts from the 89 Jeep? Or is there a little mix and match? ---
**Author:** ![WildVines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@WildVines](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WildVines)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2024, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/12 "2024-12-22T23:23:54Z")
Thanks George, this is the second new booster with same result. I think it’s booster related too. Booster holds pressure, (20 ihg from engine), if I remove the one way valve, air comes from the booster. Engine is carbureted. Thanks again ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 2:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/13 "2024-12-23T02:03:28Z")
> [@WildVines](#): > > I can’t clamp the hoses because they are braided steel See if you can find a way to cap off the hard line at the braided lines and cap them off and retest it… I have put nail heads in between the hard brake line and the hose before to block off a blown wheel cylinder to get it homme, so that might work also, just want to block any fluid going past the hoses… If you can find the right size nail or make some block off caps, then you can also cap off the proportioning valve and even the master itself… again, blocking lines etc off eliminates everything or comfirms something below that blocked part… And as Mustangman asked, did you bench bleed the master (I’m guess yes but got to ask)?? ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 3:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/14 "2024-12-23T03:43:45Z")
Two things come to mind. First, did you **bench bleed** the master cylinder before installing it? Second, make sure the bleed valve on each caliper is **above** the brake hose. Did you try to pump up the brakes with the engine running and if you did, did it pump up? BTW, the master cylinder has to be level when it is bench bleed. On most vehicles, it points up a little when mounted and if you try to bench bleed while mounted, it will trap some air near the front. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2024, 8:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/15 "2024-12-23T08:33:55Z")
Please don’t be offended by my question. It is probably unlikely because you don’t sound like a novice but are you sure the calipers are installed on the right side? I have seen people do this and the bleeder winds up on the bottom of the caliper and the brakes can’t be bled… I also had a friend who had a brake job done at the dealer who kept having to go back to the dealer to get the brakes adhusted. When I took his rear brakes apart I found out thet had put in two new adjuster screws, both left side screws. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2024, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/16 "2024-12-24T21:25:20Z")
> [@WildVines](#): > > second new booster with same result. It will be interesting to know the cause, please keep us informed. My knucklehead diy’er next guess is there’s too much play in the braking system. Either air pockets in the hydraulics, or the the shoe/pad is positioned too far away from the drum/disc. Aren’t brakes fun when you get to repeatedly take them apart and put them back together? … lol … the advice above about the importance of manually pre-bleeding the mc before installing it on the booster, and to double check that all 4 corners of the bleed screws are pointing upward. Usually you know there’s only a few changes that occured b/t when it worked and now, but this case expect to have to do considerably sleuthing. Eventually you’ll find the problem. Best of luck. ---
**Author:** ![WildVines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@WildVines](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WildVines)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/17 "2024-12-25T00:34:09Z")
Both MC’s, (I’m on the second one) were bench bled with plastic lines extending into the reservoirs. They were back bled with a syringe, (from the inside). No air bubbles, the MC was level and when done, the piston could be moved about 1/8 inch with force. Both front calipers have bleed screws at the top. The calipers are extended and release, (tire turns with slight drag). Rear drums are fully adjusted with slight drag at drums. Thank you all you great folks for taking the time to help ---
**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 5:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/18 "2024-12-25T05:36:02Z")
You might have to bleed all the lines at all the connections because there may be a lot of air in there somewhere or pressure bleed the system. ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/no-brake-pedal-when-vacuum-applied/198483/19 "2024-12-25T17:02:31Z")
with the engine off can you push the pedal to the floor.